Brrrrrrkie

That was a crazy race. I started in the first wave, where there’s about 700 or so skiers all jostling to get a spot on the front line before the start. As soon as the official lets us move up to the line, it’s a mad dash to the line. I did my best from the front of the mass of people, but still only ended up getting a spot in the third row. Stage one over, 54 k to go.

I got out to a decent start, was moving up steadily, then got tripped up in the first 1.5 k. Just as I finished passing all the people that had gone by at the top of “power line hill” and was descending down the back side, I thought, “dang, it’s really cold here.” It was about 10 degrees, but the sun was still below the trees and the humidity was high (at least compared to Nevada). 8 k in I caught my Colby college buddie Jeremy Blazar. Two man wolf pack. Time to start catching some elite wave skiers, baby!

But another 10k later I started to get really cold. Another 5k and Jeremy dropped me as I began to shiver on the downhills. Then the birchleggins crowd and other gray old master blasters began to blow by me. I was practically walking. At the second to last aid station, with 12 or so k left, I skied up to a volunteer with feeds and said, “I need a coat”. She said, “You’re coming with me.” Inside the warming hut, I was given massages, hot drinks, food, and a spot next to a wood stove. For 20 minutes. Until I finally stopped shivering. Then, determined to finish, I took off with a donated purple patagonia sweater beneath my race bib.

I felt great after that as I slalomed through about 200 people on my last leg – many of whom were old skiers and tourists wearing bulky clothing under their bibs just like me. The crowds on the last stretch were awesome, and I had a blast soaking up the Birkie madness.

The purple sweater that saved my race

All in all it was a great day and a ton of fun. It was also a great learning experience: wear plenty of clothing and eat a lot, especially early in the race. It’s easy to ski a bit overheated; skiing frozen is slow and dangerous. Hypothermia isn’t fun and isn’t something to mess with. Lesson learned.

Hi. I live in Reno, NV and just completed my masters degree in hydrology at the UNR graduate school. I competed in three NCAA skiing championships for Colby College from 2008 to 2011, where I majored in geology. Originally from Boise, Idaho, I’m pumped to be skiing and racing in the Sierras. I like mountain biking, running, eating salmon, walking on my hands, dumpster-diving, and playing guitar.

Meet the Team

Noah Brautigam

Spencer Eusden

Spencer is a born and raised Mainer and a recent graduate from Bowdoin College. After experiencing summer skiing and real mexican food during the first year of the Far West College Summer Residency Program in 2011, he had little choice but to come back and race for Far West!

Wyatt Fereday

Hi. I live in Reno, NV and just completed my masters degree in hydrology at the UNR graduate school. I competed in three NCAA skiing championships for Colby College from 2008 to 2011, where I majored in geology. Originally from Boise, Idaho, I’m pumped to be skiing and racing in the Sierras. I like mountain biking, running, eating salmon, walking on my hands, dumpster-diving, and playing guitar.

Gus Johnson

My full name is Gustavo, though I go by Gus. I was a member of the UNR NCAA Ski Team from 2008-2010 and a founder of the UNR Winter Sports Club. I have been a Far West Farm Team member for 2 seasons so far and am looking forward to my third year. I’m working my way toward being a ski coach and english teacher, while still trying to be as fast as I can be. I love mountains and canyons and rivers. My favorite place to be outside of skiing is in the Grand Canyon, though I don’t get to go there as much as I’d like. I’ve started a collaborative project called #summitsunday this year. Check it out and join the movement at summitsunday.blogspot.com

Beth Taylor

hey everybody! I am a recent Bates College graduate originally from the lovely state of Vermont. I enjoy snow, sunshine, and lounging….all great reasons to move to Tahoe. I’m stoked to be out here and ready to rip it up this winter!

Phillip Violett

2004 Graduate of Sugar Bowl Academy. Raced in 6 Junior National Championships (7 X All-American). 2003 represented the US Ski Team in the J1 Scandinavian Cup race series in Sweden. Spent the 2000 & 2004 summer’s training and racing at the Snow Farm in New Zealand. 2009 Graduate of Northern Michigan University. 2010 season competed as Senior member of Team Far West switching my focus from cross-country skiing racing to biathlon! During the 2011 season I focused only on biathlon, competing in 18 races with some respectable results. Currently, I’m racing for Auburn Ski Club and Far West Farm Team, focusing on the NorAm Biathlon race series attempting to qualify for the USBA team.

Holly Whitney

Hi Everyone! I hail from midcoast Maine and graduated from Williams College in 2012 with a degree in Sociology. I’m so excited to return to Truckee for my second year on the elite team and to continue coaching at Truckee High School and Auburn Ski Club. Last season, I had the opportunity to compete for the first time at US Nationals and the American Birkebeiner and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve this season on the national circuit. I am also excited to race locally in the Tahoe area and compete once again for the Fischer Cup. Think Snow!

Meet the Coaches

August Teague

Head Coach Far West Nordic Senior “Farm Team”. UNR Winter Sports Club director. August Teague was head coach of University of Nevada XC ski team for six seasons. Teague helped UNR to top 10 finishes in three of his first four years in Reno, including ninth-place showings in 2005 and 2008 and a 10th-place effort in 2007. In May of 2007, Teague was named to the Cross Country Coaches Committee at the United States Ski Association (USSA) Congress in Park City, Utah. Prior to coming to Nevada in 2004, Teague spent one season as the head Nordic coach at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Teague lettered four years as a member of the University of Denver cross country skiing team. He helped the Pioneers to three NCAA championships from 2000-2002.

Ben Grasseschi

Co-Head Coach Far West Nordic Senior “Farm Team”. Ben is currently the Head XC Skiing Coach for Far West Nordic as well as Head Coach for Auburn Ski Club. Ben grew up skiing in Montana and Idaho and was a member of the College of Idaho XC Ski Team. Ben’s strengths as a coach are his ability to keep athletes motivated and excited about training and competing. Coaching/Athletic Highlights Head Coach Far West Nordic Junior, Seniors, and Master Programs Head Coach Auburn Ski Club Juniors and Masters Programs Member of College of Idaho Ski Team US Ski Team Junior Scandinavian Trip Coach

Martin Benes

Martin has been a Nordic coach for a range of programs from NCAA champion Dartmouth College to working with 1-2-3 Ski! at Auburn Ski Club. Martin grew up racing in the Far West division in high school, competing on three junior national teams. This is his 6th season as a Nordic coach, having coached for Auburn Ski Club, Dartmouth College, Bates College, Far West, and, currently, Sugar Bowl Academy. As a coach he has worked with Far West junior programs the past 5 summers as well as coached for Far West at 3 junior nationals, 3 nationals, and various other camps and competitions. He is also the founder/creator and head coach of the Collegiate Summer Residency Program. He has been Nordic skiing his whole life and raced competitively from 8th grade through senior year of college, serving as captain of his college team for his senior season.